Rare Tsunami On Lake Michigan Caught On Camera! Watch Mother Nature’s Raw Power
Caught on Camera: Witness the raw power of Lake Michigan’s rare meteotsunami—see the video that’s making waves online! 🌍 #News #Michigan #WeatherNews
HOLLAND, MI – In recent days, the Midwest has experienced severe weather, leading to widespread flooding and an unusual event on Lake Michigan—a meteotsunami in Holland, Michigan.
Unlike typical tsunamis caused by earthquakes, meteotsunamis are driven by air-pressure disturbances associated with severe thunderstorms. We have the video you need to see!
What is a Meteotsunami?
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), meteotsunamis are large waves created by sudden changes in atmospheric pressure.
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These disturbances, often occurring during severe storms, generate waves that move towards the shore. While the Great Lakes experience about 100 meteotsunamis annually, most are relatively small.
The Recent Event on Lake Michigan
This week’s meteotsunami on Lake Michigan was on the smaller side. Bob Dukesherer, a senior forecaster at the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids, Michigan, reported that the waves measured 1 to 2 feet on the southern end of Lake Michigan and a foot or less in western Lower Michigan.
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Despite the minimal impact, a video from the city of Holland captured the dramatic rise in water levels during heavy rainfall.
The Impact and Response
Dukesherer stated they were not aware of any major damage. The only notable incident involved larger plastic walkway sections on a beach being displaced by the rising water.
Typically, these events are less than a foot high, but this week’s meteotsunami was driven by strong thunderstorms with winds reaching near-hurricane force at about 75 mph.
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Comparing Meteotsunamis and Regular Tsunamis
Regular tsunamis, triggered by seismic activity, can create waves exceeding 100 feet, causing significant damage. In contrast, meteotsunamis usually produce waves around 6 feet or less.
However, larger events have occurred, such as the 2018 Lake Michigan meteotsunami that resulted in an 8-foot water level change and damage in Ludington and Manistee.
Historical Perspective
The most significant meteotsunamis have caused dramatic water-level changes of 10-20 feet. A notable event in 1954 swept people off a breakwater in Chicago, resulting in multiple fatalities. This week’s event, while smaller, was still noteworthy.
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Challenges in Identification and Prediction
Identifying a meteotsunami is challenging due to its similarities with seismic tsunamis and other weather-related phenomena like storm surges or seiches. According to NOAA, these uncertainties make it difficult to predict meteotsunamis and issue timely warnings to the public.
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Watch the Lake Michigan Tsunami Video Now!
Ongoing Severe Weather
The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids reported that recent storms brought damaging winds, hail, and strong gusts to the region. This severe weather follows a month of extreme conditions in the Midwest, with dangerously high temperatures followed by persistent rain and storms, leading to emergency declarations and evacuations in some areas.
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